• Silence

    The lone streetlight flickered out, drowning the desolate street in darkness, save for the full moon above.

    A boy ran down that street, breathing heavily. He stopped short in the middle of the cracked road, glancing around nervously. He bolted to the right, towards an ancient looking house.

    He took the stairs at the porch in a single leap, and nearly collided with the door. Gently he pushed it open, already knowing that the lock had rusted away. The antique hinges squeaked loudly, echoing through the street.

    Careful not to make another sound, he slipped in. Inside, the house was pitch black. Feeling his way around, the boy hid in the closest room.

    A chill of fear ran down the boy's spine as he heard the ancient door slam open. Heavy boots stamped into the main room, shaking the house.

    "I know you're here, boy," the pursuer taunted, "now show yourself!"

    The boy shivered as he heard the ka-chik of the man's gun. The BANG! of the following gunshot resounded through the dwelling.

    The bullet whizzed past the boy's hiding spot. The man knew where he was hiding...

    "One more chance to show yourself, kid! Or I'll just blow the whole place to pieces!" the man's deep voice boomed.

    Gathering his courage, the boy rose to his feet and stepped out into the open.

    "Smart choice..." the man chuckled.

    "What do you want with me?!" the boy demanded boldly, taking a few steps closer. There was barely any distance between the two now. "What did I ever do to you?!"

    The man's malicious grin widened, "Absolutely nothing! You're just another person in the wrong place at the wrong time, is all..."

    Acting on impulse, the boy shot forward, instinct telling him to fight. Catching the man off gaurd, the boy managed to knock the gun out of his hands. It skittered on the wooden floor.

    The man cursed loudly and sent his fists at the boy, hitting him hard in the chest.

    The force of the punch sent the boy stumbling backwards. He wrapped his arms around his torso, pain flaring throughout his chest with every breath. The boy's legs buckled and he sank to the floor.

    The man chuckled at the boy's pain as he stepped closer to him, wrapping his large hand around the boy's neck. The man lifted the boy up, until his feet no longer touched the floor.

    The boy struggled weakly in the man's grasp, gasping for breath.

    Before the boy lost consciousness, the man flung him into the nearest wall. The man then went to retrieve his gun, knowing exactly where it was in the pitch dark.

    After a few minutes, the boy came to his senses and slowly rose to his feet. He was determined to act brave in front of his enemy. Even as his body trembled with each breath and blood dripped from his mouth, he stood tall.

    The man aimed his gun at the boy, "Wasn't worth the struggle was it, boy?" he asked, amused.

    The boy remained silent. He watched emotionlessly as the man aimed the gun directly between his eyes.

    "Say goodbye, my son..."

    The gunshot echoed through the empty street, followed by the sickening thud of the boy's lifeless body hitting the ground. Then finally, as the streetlight flickered back on...

    Silence.